Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

A Mystery Trip was off again on Saturday the 22 nd , at the now standard fares. Departure was at 07:45, arrival at 11:44, with the return at 18:00. Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, enthusiasts were invited to visit Helmshore Station to see Black 5 #44806 in steam, courtesy of British Railways. Admission was 2/-. September For a change, BR was operating an excursion to a named destination on Saturday the 12 th , in this instance Aberystwyth. The train would depart at 07:45 with an arrival at the resort at 12:45, where there was an optional trip on the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway to Devil’s Bridge. The inclusive fare was 37/6d for an adult and 19/6d for a child, but for those wishing to spend the whole time in Aberystwyth the fares were 30/- and 15/- respectively. The East Lancs Railway Preservation Society was off again on Saturday the 19 th , with a ‘luxury train’ to Hereford which would depart Accrington at 08:05. On arrival there was an optional coach tour to Monmouth and Symonds Yat, which would cost an additional 6/- on top of the 50/- adult fare and 5/- in addition to the 35/- children’s fare. Free buses would again ferry passengers from Helmshore and Haslingden. There was also an opportunity to see King Class 4-6-0 #6000 King George V in steam at the Bulmer’s Sidings in the town. On the Bank Holiday Monday the 21 st , there was a special train to London for just 50/- per adult. Departing Accrington at 07:39 with an arrival at Euston at approximately 11:40, there was the option of a ticket to include a coach tour to Hampton Court, sightseeing tour and a sail on the Thames at 55/- per adult and 45/- per child, before returning from Euston at 19:50. October Another Mystery Trip ran on Saturday the 3 rd , departing at 07:20 arriving at the unknown destination at 13:40 and returning at 17:40. The usual fares and booking arrangements applied. A special for the Blackpool Illuminations ran on the 10 th , departing at 16:33 arriving at North Station at 17:34 and returning at 22:45. Adult fare was 10/- with children half price. November On Saturday the 14 th , there were free buses from Helmshore and Haslingden as well as from Rishton, Great Harwood and Clayton-le-Moors to Accrington, for the East Lancs Railway Preservation Society’s special to London. On this trip there was the option of a coach tour, or the chance to see the Lord Mayor’s Show. The fares were 55/- for an adult and 30/- for a child. Exactly a fortnight later BR was duplicating this excursion to the Capital, departing at 07:51 arriving Euston at 11:59 and returning at 19:25. The adult fare was the same, but children would only be charged half fare at 27/6d. BR announced they were to reopen the Eagle Street access to the station and to put doors on the booking hall in order to cut down the draughts, as well as constructing a flight of steps on the Paxton Street side. Negotiations were at an advanced stage between BR and Accrington Corporation, for the removal of the redundant railway bridge at the junctions of Scaitcliffe Street, Eagle Street and Ormerod Street. Mr Downes said, “This area would be landscaped when removal was completed”. December Despite the passenger services being dieselised in 1960 and not being named in the Beeching Report, the 11½ mile section of line between Colne and Skipton was closed on the 2 nd . It would be true to say that it had been in decline for some time, as the intermediate station at Elslack had been closed as far back as March 1 st , 1952. This had been followed by Foulridge on January 3 rd , 1959, with both Thornton in-Craven and Earby stations closing on January 31 st . This ended the longstanding services through Accrington, between Skipton and Manchester and Skipton and Blackpool. In 1959 there had been seven trains each weekday with one to Liverpool, two to Manchester and three through to Blackpool with one terminating in Accrington. In its heyday there had been two engines sheds in Colne, one belonging to the Midland Railway and one to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, the station itself being jointly operated. In the 19 th Century there was even a through train to King’s Cross from Colne. 1971 ( The demanning of stations and the introduction of trains with ticket conductors would continue apace. ) January BR was running a ‘Mini-holiday’ to London on Saturday the 30 th , with a return on Sunday the 31 st . The adult fare was £5 – 15s – 0d and a child up to the age of thirteen £2 – 17s – 6d. Included was one night’s bed and full English breakfast in one of Grand Met’s Hotels. The train would depart Accrington at 08:49 and return from Euston at 16:30. Tickets were again strictly limited.

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